MIA

We have been travelling for a couple of hours. running for a couple of hours as a wolf isn't too bad. You can get tired but not exhausted. However, it's totally different when you're human form and you're riding on the back of a wolf. My back, hips and thighs hurt from being in the exact same position. I look around at the other wolves, they were so concentrated on running that I didn't want to disturb them. Maybe I can just try to change the way I'm sitting. I try to put both my legs on one side, but I lose grip of Soul's fur. I felt myself slipping off. I try to turn and grab on, however it was too late. I gasp when I felt myself falling. I close my eyes tightly waiting for the impact. But instead Soul twists around and grabs me by his mouth. That just hurts way more. His teeth dig into my arm. I yelp out in pain. We both crash to the ground. Soul gets up and shifts, "Mia! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to catch you that way, I just totally reacted out of instinct! I am so sorry!"

"What did you do!" Noah comes into my view. He's wearing some shorts and no top. He stops in his tracks when he sees me on the ground covered in blood and cuts. His eyes widen in black. He bares his teeth and growls. He stomps towards Soul and pushes him to the ground, "You caught her with your mouth? What were you think you dumbass! Couldn't you see she was still in her bloody human form! Look at what you've done! She's hurt because of you!" He shouted in her face. "It was an accident Noah! I didn't think I just reacted!"

"Exactly," he growled. Noah took a step closer to Soul. They were nose to nose, "You didn't think. Then again...there's no surprise there is it?" 

I didn't want them to be fighting because of me, "Guys, it's fine. I'm okay. It was an accident. Actually...it was my fault. I was trying to get more comfortable so I tried to move into a better sitting position. But I slipped." I got up from the ground. Blood covered my arm and shoulder. I hold it against my chest. I'll go wash it in the little stream close by. As I walk past Noah, he whispers to me, "Do you need any help?" I see there was a slight window open in his eyes. They turned soft in the slightest way when he was looking at me. But I can't let him get to me. I shake my head, "No, I don't need your help Noah." His eyes instantly turn hard as if he got burned.

"Fine then, "he said harshly, "Hurry up. We're going to make camp now. No one can go off by themselves."

"I'll take Soul with me then." I walk past Noah and to Soul. I see that he was genuinely guilty for what he had done, so it was rather easy to forgive him, "It's okay Soul! stop looking so guilty."

"Look at your arm! I did that! Oh gosh!" He pulls at his hair and groans in guilt. I laugh and rub his arm, "Seriously Soul. It's fine. I'm okay. Do you want to help me with my arm?" Soul nods silently. He follows behind me as we went to the creek. 

NOAH

Mia asked Soul for help. I offered help and she declined! What the heck! I didn't even look at them when they left for the stream. I stomped off and sat on the ground around the fire the men just made. Xander plops himself on the ground next to me. "Whats going on with you Noah?"

"What do you mean? I'm functioning perfectly well." I snap. I keep my gaze on the dancing flames. 

"Nah man. You're different from when we found you. Is it Mia? Do you have a thing for her?"

"No I don't. I haven't had feelings for any female since my wife died. I don't think that's going to start now."

Xander nods in understanding. We fall into a comfortable silence. Both of us staring at the flames. "Do you still love your wife Noah?"

I think about it for a minute. Do I still love her? "I think once you love someone, that love won't change whether that person is dead or alive."

"Yeah sure, but-"

I twist my head towards him, "What are you gettin at?"

Xander sighs loudly, "Just don't let the death of your wife hold you back from future mate potentials."

"what do you mean?"

"I'm saying that it's okay to like a girl, be attracted to them and all."

"I'm not gay! I am attracted to females. I just don't do anything about it."

"Okay. That's okay then. So when you get married to Sophie...make sure you let yourself let go of the past and try to enjoy your time with her. You guys are getting hitched after all."

Getting married to Sophie. Before, I wouldn't have cared if I was getting married to her or not. But now...something inside me is declining this. It was unsettling. It felt like my wolf was ravaging inside me to not do this, but I can't listen to him. He's irrational as are all wolves. I look up at the direction where Mia went. Maybe I can...NO! Stop it! You can't do this kind of stuff.I am engaged! I glance back at Xander. He looks at me expectantly. I've had enough of this talk, "Yeah for the good of the pack though. I'm going for a walk." Xander nods, "Be careful. Don't want you going missing again."

I wave my hand over my head dismissingly, "Yeah yeah, I got it." I stomp off into the woods. I need some alone time.

I sigh harshly. I'm getting married to a female I don't even know. She's beautiful that's a bonus. At least she will be satisfying enough. Mia probably would've been more- wait! Stop it Noah! Stop it! I shake my head from any kind of thoughts of her. I can't let these feelings for her develop. I need to suppress it. That way it will slowly dissolve into nothing. She will be better off without me anyways.

I look up at the sky. It's twilight. I should probably go find Mia and Soul to tell them to head back now. It's not a good idea for anyone to be out alone. After getting attacked by those rogues I've become more cautious. Rogues don't usually band together, but for some reason these ones did. It had to be some kind of purpose or plan. I make a note of it to dig into it more. Try find out why they attacked me. 

I stomp through the woods, but stop when I hear soft giggling. Mia. She was laughing at something Soul said. This irritated me for some reason. I didn't like the fact that he could make her laugh and not me. Ugh Noah! I can't think like that! She can do whatever she wants. She can go right ahead and be mates with Soul for all I care...gross...that thought left a bad taste in my thoughts.

I opened my mouth to yell out at them, but stopped myself when I heard Mia say my name.

MIA

"I was looking around all the dead men when I found Noah."

"Weren't you scared?"

I thought about it for a moment, "I was more anxious than scared. I was just worried that there might've been a rogue that survived."

Soul nods his head in understanding, "So how long are you staying with us then?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I guess until your Luna gives birth."

"So a couple of months?" I nod my head,

"Or maybe longer. It depends on her state after the birth."

Soul looks away slightly, but I could see the slight smile he had. "Good." He says.

I arch one brow in question, "Good? How is that good?"

"Because I want to take you out for a night as an I'm sorry."

No one has ever wanted to do something like this to me before. My heart warmed slightly. "I would love to Soul."

His smile widens, "Great! We'll figure out what you'd want to do after you get yourself settled in more, yeah?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Soul nods his head excitedly. "Okay, let's get you cleaned up." He cups his hands with water and trickles it down my arm, making it sting. I hiss in pain, "Ouch!"

Right then I was momentarily distracted by the pain because I heard a rumbling sound that made my ears perk slightly in attention. I look around what is that vibrating sound? It was barely there, but I could hear it. Is...is that a growl? I look into the bushes, but it was so dark that I couldn't see anything. strange. I swear I heard something. 

"Mia? Are you listening?" I snap out of my thoughts when I hear Soul.

"What?"

He chuckles, "I was explaining what the pack is like."

My cheeks redden, "I'm really sorry. I just thought I heard..." I stray off because I actually don't know what I heard. It kinda sounded like a feral animal of some kind. 

"Heard what?"

I shake my head, "Nevermind." I nod towards him, "please continue. I'd love to know what you're pack is like."

"Okay so..." As he explained. I couldn't help but feel this burning inside my chest. It was strange. I couldn't get it off my chest. My breathing became heavy, and my muscles became weak. it felt like guilt. Guilt? Why do I feel guilty. For some reason i felt guilty for saying yes to Soul. But I don't know why. I don't belong to anyone. All I can possibly think of is...I internally groaned in annoyance. Noah. Why do I feel as if I have some kind of relationship with him? I don't and that's why I shouldn't feel guilty for saying yes to Soul. But then why do I feel like I am cheating on Noah?

"Ummm Soul?" I cut through.

"Or maybe-yeah?"

I look around, "It's getting pretty dark. We should probably get back. I don't want to get into any kind of trouble with the Alpha."

Soul smirks, "His bark is worse than his bite. Don't worry about him."

My eyes widen. How could he talk so casually about his Alpha? "You better not be saying stuff like that around the Alpha."

Soul just chuckles, "I tell it to his face. And he gets all uptight, but then what are brothers for right?"

Then it clicked, "You're the Alpha's brother?"

He nods his head, "The one and only. Solomon Nightwalker, nice to meet you." He extends his hand out. I smile as I shake his hand. Cheeky little wolf isn't he?

"Well, I would still like to head back if you don't mind."

Soul gets up and offers his hand to help me, I take it, "Sure, let's go back."

We both make our way back to the group.

NOAH

Mia and Soul both emerge out of the darkness of the woods smiling. My wolf inside doesn't like that. I clench my teeth together hard to try and keep myself from growling. Soul says something to her and she laughs. The sound calms me. "Ugh" I grunt. I can't let her effect me so much. I'll only be seeing her for a couple of months, then I'll be getting hitched to Sophie and I won't be seeing her again. I won't be seeing her again, I repeat to myself. Why don't I like that. I shake my head. Stop thinking Noah. I can't be making any type of attachment. I just focus on the big roaring flames in front of me, dancing. 

I sense that Mia sat down on one of the logs and Soul went off somewhere else. I internally sigh in relief. Thank goodness those two are finally separated. I flick my eyes quickly across the fire to see Mia. She is sitting on the ground and leaning against the big log. She had a pad with her and a pencil. She must be sketching. I noticed some art work around the cottage when I was there. She must do art as a hobby when she isn't working on her healing products. Her brows scrunch together in concentration and she bites her bottom lip. 

I look back to the flames. Fire. It is something so beautiful and yet, if you touch it, it's just going to hurt you. I look back at Mia. It's like her in a way. I close my eyes. Even if I could be with her without any complications. I wouldn't. I would never set my burdens upon someone else. I would never do that someone. The weight of my past is too much. I should only be caring it. Because if I am the only one carrying it, then no one else will get hurt. Just me. But I don't mind I guess. I am already a damaged good. A little more damage isn't too bad. 

I remember being such a happy kid. I was the kind of kid that made everyone else smile and laugh. I lived around the more woody and countryside of England. My pack had a small village of cabins. We were very peaceful and kind, but we were also strong. One of the strongest in England. But that all changed on that one night. I had a little brother named Isaac, he ran off in the middle of the night because he thought he saw some kind of cool creature. I chased after him. I lost him in the woods. I yelled out his name and in return I heard a frightened whimper. I was instantly on guard. A big man appeared holding my baby brother. I took a step forward and growled. the man laughed at me. he said thats he was going to take my brother away. i begged him to nt do that. It would break my mother's heart. so he took me instead. the four words still haunt me to this day, "hello, my name is Mathesus."